Chapter 8: Rapids

[Furoufushi's POV]

Sitting across from Nimaiya, I noticed his somber look. His eyes stared into the cup of sake, searching the ripples and reflection for something. Learning about his former status as a warlord, I couldn't help but feel admiration. Yet, it didn't seem like he valued his time behind the hallowed gates of Seireitei. My curiosity faded at his sober face. I had to ask.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Nah. It's nothin'."

His glassy eyes seemed to recover some semblance of soberness. Silence sat between us for a minute, I was going to brush past it, but Nimaiya followed up. His voice was low in a pleasant tone.

"You're a lucky kid ya know that? I been around more than a thousand years. Whatchu got, I envy a lil."

His eyes flashed to my red-headed teacher who was peacefully snoring. There was a spark of pity deep inside the man's pupils.

"Ain't ever seen the guy close to others. Time runs different for some people you know? *sippp* No surprise if the man was losin' track of things. You bein' a student… that's some real shit. Hope you know that."

Nimaiya's eyes wandered back to his cup, his finger traced around the edge of the cup. Watching his finger graze along the lip, my mind traveled back to the past. When I would come back to Tengoku after fighting for so long.

Tea and sweets were always placed in front of me. Even when I didn't have anything better to do.

"Ha!"

I scoffed and shook my head, so sentimental. This bum who's drooling on the table with a shit-eating grin? He's never asked me anything. How is that a teacher? Drives me like a slave till my skin turns rough.

My vision caught Nimaiya moving around, his body was leaning down toward the ground under the table. He pulled a long white cloth bundle. Laying it on the table, my curiosity was piqued as I heard Nimaiya talk while slowly unfurling the cloth.

"Most times, these babies are given when you enter one of the 'schools'."

I watched him reveal three katanas. All of the same shape and size. With black lacquer sheaths and simple handles, a sense of wonder and fascination filled me. His voice floated into my ears as he handled the swords with care.

"Your old man asked me for some. Had to tell everyone he was bouta open a 'school'. Hell, even the King looked a lil' worried about your 'school'. Haha! Never seen the Royal Fam' with such stiff faces."

He separated the swords, placing them in front of me as if to offer them. Looking up, I found his sober, deep eyes, they searched me, making me feel exposed. His next words held immense weight, a desire for responsibility and action dripped from his voice.

"These ain't just swords ya hear? You gotta figure some things out yourself, yeah? That old guy over there, one of a kind, but ya got your own path to forge, got it?"

Nimaiya's call for an answer pressed on me. I didn't fully know what it all meant but the trust he put in me was near physical. I gave a firm nod and hummed before reaching for the sword in the middle.

"Hn. I'll do that." His eyes studied me as I handled the sword, I could see a smile break on his lips.

"Hooh~. Handling it well. Good start. Your Zanpakutou'll see if you're for real or not."

I felt something faint skirt up and down my spine before settling around my heart. Rather than a creepy feeling, it felt familiar and inviting, like sunshine that peeked over a cloud. How bizarre. My vision glanced over to Muhou, still dunked in the ceramic vat of sake. Tracing my line of sight, Nimaiya's face also turned to the odd sight. He made a remark that bordered on pride and conflict.

"Ahh, the bandit queen. Special lady that helped inspire me. Seen her since I was a kid running round the block. Already part of Kenji's life before I gave her a new makeover. Bet your pops is half-sword… or half tealeaf, Haha!"

I smirked. As he drank, his voice lowered into a wistful breath. His eyes wandered away from Muhou.

"You meet the other?"

"Other?"

Before I could continue the sword in my hands began to vibrate softly.

*shk*

I thought it was my imagination until Nimaiya made a comment laced with intrigue.

"Hasn't been like two minutes. You got some serious stuff in you. Full of surprises. Well…" *creak* He stood up from his seat and started adjusting his clothes.

"You're leaving?" I felt a small urge to keep chatting with the unique guy. Nimaiya nodded his head while grabbing his colorful straw hat. He walked to the door of the kitchen, looking back one last time, his face turned solemn.

"You're a good kid. Don't spoil it. Yeah?"

*slide* He left behind strange parting words. I couldn't help but look at Kenji. A stupid smile was spreading on his red face. His dreams must be real nice. Gotta move this bum to his room.

"Alright Tenchou, come on, move your fatass. Time for bed."

*snore*

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*Yawn* "Since Ouetsu left you a sword, we'll start the next point of your training."

I watched Kenji stumble around the kitchen with his eyes closed. The hangover was kicking him in the ass. He fished Muhou out of the barrel of sake, slowly wiping the sword of any remaining liquid with his hachimaki. Red strands of hair fell over his face as he focused on cleaning. His hands switched between cleaning and slicking back the unruly hair.

*shk*

The sword that rested at my side, vibrated slightly. I picked it up and brought it to my ear, listening for anything. Kenji gave a chuckle. I can't help it! It's so weird.

"No need to get flustered. We'll head out to a find a river after we have breakfast. We'll help you settle in with your Zanpakutou."

He moved around the kitchen in a hurried pace, placing Muhou by the door.

*grumble~*

Maybe the secrets of this thing can wait until after some food.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We arrived at a riverside in District 64. It branched off into a surplus of streams, creating the numerous wetlands I had trained my balance in. The river was crystal clear, fish found shelter behind boulders in the rushing water. The depth wasn't too great dangerous, most likely around 140 cm.

Only my shoulders, neck and head would breach if I stood in it. I watched Kenji's blue and white happi flutter as he continued walking further up the riverside. It seemed we still had a ways to go.

After ten minutes of walking, our feet stood in front of raging rapids. The whitewater displayed the danger of the river. It wasn't very impressive to me. It wasn't like mortal wounds from a fight. If you hold your breath long enough, you'll probably be okay.

Kenji's voice was louder than normal, trying to speak over the rushing rapids. "Alright, Fu-chan. Put your Zanpakutou aside."

I did as he said, curious about what he was thinking. I kept silent as usual, waiting for his input.

"You'll be entering downstream. Make whatever preparations you need. Your hair is gonna get wet, make sure it doesn't snag and tangle."

Releasing my pigtails, I arranged it in a ponytail. I pulled up the sleeves of my kimono, tying it up securely. The gravel under my feet shifted as I walked to the river. I felt a slight sense of nervousness. It's not everyday you dive into a raging river. Kenji walked up beside me, he placed a hand on my shoulder. My nerves relaxed as I heard his soft voice.

"Enter after the rapids end. You'll travel up the river until there isn't any real resistance. Feel the turbulence in the water. Avoid getting swept away, trust your balance. Take your time, there isn't any rush. Find safe spots to gather yourself and breathe."

He lightly squeezed my shoulder.

"The point is to feel the river against your skin. Allow it to press on you. If your senses are exhausted once you reach past the rapids, we'll move on to the next step. Alright?"

"Ha! Like some water is gonna stop me."

The notion was pure nonsense. I could see his smirk from the corner of my eye.

I started wading into the water, it wasn't nearly enough so I moved to the middle of the river. The water was a pleasant chill. Closing my eye, I felt the surging liquid hit my body. I felt the need to wet my face.

*gasp* *splash* *whhsssss~*

Dunking my whole body into the river, I submerged myself and listened to the soothing sound. Despite the force on my body, I focused on the crashing water that brushed past me. I turned around under the water, allowing my back to feel its force. Like a heavy gust, it tried to pull me off my feet.

*splash* *gasp*

The return to the surface was relieving. The sun hit my face as I wiped the traces of water away from my eyes. My vision cleared, revealing the rapids that cascaded in front of me. It was time to start moving.